Purpose

The Fulbright program was created by the U.S. Congress in 1946 “to foster mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchanges.”

More information on the Fulbright Program.

Info Sessions

Check the calendar for current sessions

See the Resources section for recorded information sessions and US Student Fulbright Program Videos and Tutorials .

 

Grants Available

  • Open Study/Research: Independent research, graduate programs, internships, or a combination of study and research. See the lists of field-specific award opportunities and graduate degree grants.
  • English Teaching Assistant (ETA): Teach English language and culture in primary schools, high schools, and universities. See the list of countries that offer ETA grants.
  • Critical Language Enhancement Awards (CLEA): CLEA info

Additional Information

Number Offered

Approximately 1900 grants to 140+ countries.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen or U.S. national
  • Preference to students who have received the majority of their higher education at a U.S. institution.
  • Preference for candidates who have not resided or studied in the country to which they are applying for more than six months, excluding study abroad or military duty.
  • Applicants must hold a BA or the equivalent degree before the beginning date of the grant. Applicants may not hold a doctoral degree at the time of application.
  • Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in the language of the host country to communicate with the people and to carry out the proposed project, as specified by host country.
  • Good health. Grantees will be required to submit a satisfactory Certificate of Health from a physician.

Application Process

Carefully review the  Middlebury Fellowships’ documents:

Note: We strongly encourage undergraduate alumni to apply through Middlebury. Senior applicants must apply through Middlebury. If you have difficult accessing these documents, contact us at fellowships@middlebury.edu .

Application Process and Deadlines 

See the Fulbright Guideline documents above for specific details and requirements. Each of the steps below are part of your application portal in Middlebury Apply.

  1. April 15, Preliminary Application Deadline (recommended): Complete the online preliminary application in Middlebury Apply to start the application process. Review the app questions. You will receive feedback by mid-May to continue developing your application. If you start this after July 1, you will skip the preliminary application and start work on the full Fulbright application.
     
  2. August 15, Intent to Apply Deadline: Let us know you intend to apply! Submit draft essays and draft Fulbright application (if available) for review and feedback. No recommendations or letters of affiliation are needed at this stage. See the application checklist for specific items  you will upload in Middlebury Apply for this deadline. Draft materials received after this deadline will be reviewed if the advisors have time to do so.
     
  3. Early Sept TBA, Middlebury Internal Deadline: Complete, proofed applications must marked as “Ready for Campus Review” in the Fulbright portal by this date. This locks the application. Applications should including recommendations, language evaluations, and affiliation letters by this date. (Contact us about any late materials.) The application is only seen by Middlebury advisors and interviewers. You will be able to make edits after this date. Any issues, email fellowships@middlebury.edu.
     
  4. Interviews with the Middlebury Fulbright committee will be scheduled after the internal deadline, typically the third week in September. Interviews take place on Zoom.
     
  5. Final Fulbright Deadline: Submit your Fulbright application by October TBA. This sends your application to Fulbright. You will not be able to access your application after clicking “Submit.” Any issues, email fellowships@middlebury.edu.

Contact

Lisa Gates, Associate Dean for Fellowships and Research
Davis Family Library 212
lgates@middlebury.edu

(802) 443-3183

Fulbright News

  • Fulbright and Watson Notes for Applicants

    | by Lisa Gates

     It’s almost August (gasp!) and this is usually that time when I get a lot of questions from students and alumni wanting to apply for a Fulbright or Watson fellowship. It’s also a time of year when I am not always in the office so try to answer some frequently asked questions below. Read on–and […]

  • June 2024 Notes for Fulbright and Watson Applicants

    | by Lisa Gates

    If you’re thinking about applying for a Fulbright grant or Watson nomination in the fall, let’s get moving! Summer goes fast. Many of you have already talked with me about your ideas or completed a preliminary application this spring–which is a great way to get started! And yes, you can absolutely still apply for these […]

  • Middlebury Is a Top Producer of Fulbrights

    | by Lisa Gates

    Congratulations to all of Middlebury’s Fulbright applicants and grantees who helped us make Fulbright’s Top Producer List yet again! Read more at https://www.middlebury.edu/announcements/announcements/2024/02/middlebury-among-top-producers-fulbrights . Interested in applying? See go/fulbright and check out our info session on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 4:30pm in Library 201.